Cynthia Phaneuf "career announcement"

OMG she had a stress fracture in her spine for about a year. No wonder she struggled so much last season
((((Cynthia))))

From the above linked article

Over the summer, however, she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her back, an injury that leaves her competitive status up in the air.

&#8220;It put me in a bad position,&#8221; Phaneuf said during an afternoon break before taking the ice. &#8220;I actually had it for a year and didn't know about it, so competing last year was very hard, mentally and physically.&#8221;

They should state it in some form of: "Skaters who are top 5 at the CFSC will be placed on the Canadian National Team. Additional skaters may be added at Skate Canada's discretion". Instead the way it's worded is "You MUST be top 5 at CFSC to be placed on the national team... that is unless we decide someone else should also be placed on it too." I don't know, it's semantics. It's poorly worded.

Neh, unless English isn't your first language. Sorry Ziggy. The rule as written says you MUST place top 5, but then they say that actually, no, you don't have to place top 5. So it isn't a 'must'. So why word it that way? Is English not your first language? Just curious.

It is like a university stating in its rules that in order for you to get a diploma you MUST attain a GPA of 2.0. However, even if you don't achieve a 2.0, you can still get your diploma at our discretion. So what's the point of making it a rule, if it means nothing anyway? Comprende?

But, anywhos, that's very sad news for Phaneuf. Didn't she have disc problems way back when? She's very tall, and back issues are worse the taller you are. I hope she's proud of her accomplishments in skating. The fact that she got to the Olympics and did well there after all her struggles is something to be incredibly proud of.

Well, if you really want to dissect the wording, maybe "named to the team" is not the same as "added to the team." You must place in the top 5 to be named, but there are other possible routes to being added.

Well, if you really want to dissect the wording, maybe "named to the team" is not the same as "added to the team." You must place in the top 5 to be named, but there are other possible routes to being added.

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Ok, that works. But also the wording doesn't guarantee that you would be named to the team even if you placed top5. It just reeks of oldschool politics in naming teams. So the rule means nothing, is what it comes down to. Which made me question why even write it then? If the team has only a set number, like say an Olympic team, what is the point in saying that to be named to the team you MUST have placed in the top2 at Nats. BUT, it doesn't guarantee you being named to the team because also in the rule another skater can be added to the team at their discretion.

The only reason why I brought it up and criticized it, is because it just reminds me of the old archaic Olympic team selection rules. Basically the federation can name whoever they want, so the rules should just come out and admit that. Or better yet, just not even have the rule since it is only worth the ink on the paper.

I will always have a soft spot for Cynthia - I remember speaking to her briefly at the Worlds in Dortmund where she wasn't competing but was "observing".

She has gone through some difficult times since she first appeared on the senior competitive horizon and she has bounced back and maintained a good attitude, always working hard to try to regain her momentum and to improve.

I believe that it is somewhat typical to issue a media advisory when you want to ensure attendance at a press conference and to have subsequent coverage in the press. Why all the negative comments?

One of the most recent stories about Cynthia is that she finished behind Amelie and the fed still wanted to send Cynthia to Worlds'. It wasn't fair to Amelie. I think that has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

When someone says they have a medical problem & that they have had it for a specified period of time, I always wonder how they could possibly know that. If it wasn't diagnosed a year ago, how does she know she had it that long (non-medical person here)?

When someone says they have a medical problem & that they have had it for a specified period of time, I always wonder how they could possibly know that. If it wasn't diagnosed a year ago, how does she know she had it that long (non-medical person here)?

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One can probably never know with 100% certainty, but once a diagnosis is made, it often sheds light on prior symptoms and one can frequently reasonably conclude that the prior symptoms were more than likely related to the condition that was just (finally) diagnosed.

Still, it's a waste of time IMO. Just make the announcement...it seems silly to prolong the news by making an announcement that you're going to make an announcement. Why not just set up the press conference and say what needs to be said rather than make everyone wait? Though when you think about it, it does get people talking so I suppose it has the desired effect...still annoying though.

BTW, how do you get people to come to a press conference if you don't announce there'll be one ?

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I guess the grumbling krew wanted her to use a fall competition or another event (conference, seminar or the like) that's already in place to make her announcement, rather than holding her own press conference.

Still, it's a waste of time IMO. Just make the announcement...it seems silly to prolong the news by making an announcement that you're going to make an announcement. Why not just set up the press conference and say what needs to be said rather than make everyone wait? Though when you think about it, it does get people talking so I suppose it has the desired effect...still annoying though.

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If there were no media at a press conference, how could it actually be a press conference? If you (and others) would prefer that she just issue a press release with a statement about whatever she wants to announce, just say so. A press conference implies that there will be some Q&A between whatever media people are there and Cynthia -- which requires that the media be alerted to the event beforehand.

Still, it's a waste of time IMO. Just make the announcement...it seems silly to prolong the news by making an announcement that you're going to make an announcement. Why not just set up the press conference and say what needs to be said rather than make everyone wait? Though when you think about it, it does get people talking so I suppose it has the desired effect...still annoying though.

Advanced notice is critical. You'd want to give people a day's warning about a press conference, if you can. TV and radio news directors map out where their cameras and reporters will be. Give them time to plan.

One of the most recent stories about Cynthia is that she finished behind Amelie and the fed still wanted to send Cynthia to Worlds'. It wasn't fair to Amelie. I think that has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

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Lacoste and Phaneuf were very close in score in several competitions, but I doubt if Phaneuf had been that slightly ahead of Lacoste at Nationals that they would have given Lacoste another chance to come out ahead of Phaneuf.

You can call a press conference without announcing the subject in advance. Skate Canada doesn't call them randomly unless they have news worth showing up for.

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so you want them to say "we're having a press conference" without any suggestion of what it concerns? News flash: no one will come.

You always say who's going to be there, so media can decide if it's of interest and begin planning their stories (for example, gathering up background info they have on Cynthia, perhaps talking to some of their sources in advance, etc).

Clearly they want to say something more than simply retirement or the like, and they want to make Cynthia and other available in person. A press conference is held for major news, and also news where a lot of questions are anticipated, so you do it all at once rather than taking calls and answering the same questions over and over. It gives the media a chance to ask their questions and get their quotes and images, so they can file the story right away instead of waiting for SC or Cynthia to get back to them along with everyone else.